• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup grated lemon peel
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups (12-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Premier White Morsels, divided
• 1 teaspoon vegetable shortening

1. COMBINE flour and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, sugar, lemon peel and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until fluffy. Add flour mixture just until blended. Stir in 1 cup morsels.
2. DIVIDE dough into 4 even pieces. Gently shape each piece into an 8 x 1-inch diameter log. Wrap logs tightly in wax paper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
3. PREHEAT oven to 350° F.
4. UNWRAP logs; cut each log with serrated knife into 16 slices, about 1/2-inch thick. If necessary, reshape edges of cookies. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
5. BAKE for 13 to 14 minutes or until edges are set. Cool for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
6. LINE baking sheets with wax paper.
7. MICROWAVE remaining 1 cup morsels and vegetable shortening in small, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. Morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted.
8. DIP top half of cookies into melted morsels. Scrape off excess against side of bowl. Place on prepared baking sheets. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until set.

Serves
Makes about 5 dozen cookies

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Notes: Dough logs may be frozen up to 1 month in advance. Place wrapped logs in plastic freezer storage bags.

SOURCE:Nestlé

(Family Features) - Gray winter skies keep many a kid peering out the windows, hoping to hear two magic words - Snow Day! When snow or bad weather keeps the family indoors for too long, however, the excitement can fade into boredom if you're not prepared.

That's why I like to keep a few tricks up my sleeve to turn snow day doldrums into snow day delights. What can you add to this list?

• Indoor picnic. Turn the family room into a picnic area with blankets and fun foods. Have the kids draw outdoor scenes for a cheery backdrop.
• Scavenger hunt. Give them fun clues that will have them searching all over the house for silly items. Who knows - they might even find those missing toys...
• Old-fashioned forts. Pull out blankets and sheets and let them turn the living room or dining room into a fort or secret hide out. You'll be amazed at how long they can entertain themselves.
• Baking goodies together. Of course, this is my favorite thing to do. I love this fun recipe for Snow Day Cookie Shovels - they're a real treat after shoveling real snow!

For more baking ideas to warm up your snow days, visit www.TollHouse.com.